EDGARD — St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies received a complaint May 4 that a contractor had taken the complainant’s money and did not finish the contracted job in Edgard.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said detectives followed up with an investigation, and obtaining an arrest warrant for the contractor for home improvement fraud and engaging in business of contracting without authority.

Detectives identified the contractor as Tanweer Bhatti, 63, of Baton Rouge.

“Baker Police arrested Bhatti Monday on two counts each of residential contract fraud and theft of assets of aged persons,” Tregre said. “Since the story of Bhatti’s arrest broke, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives have received four additional complaints on Bhatti.”

Authorities say five additional complaints have been filed.

The initial complaint was filed May 4 at a residence on East 13 Street in Edgard, Sgt. Dane Clement said.

Clement said Bhatti was moved to St. John and bonded out Wednesday.

“He bonded out three hours after he was booked,” Clement said.

His bond was set at $30,000.

Authorities said anyone in St. John Parish with a complaint on Bhatti should call 911 dispatchers to file an initial report with the Sheriff’s Office.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker